Abu Dhabi’s Special Olympics Uses Virtual Reality To Make The Games More Accessible
Get an immersive 360-degree view of this year’s Games…without leaving the house
The countdown is on to the Special Olympics World Games, held in Abu Dhabi on 14-21 March. The UAE’s 2019 hosting debut marks the first time the World Games will take place in the Middle East region. This year’s Games, a celebration of inclusion, unity and diversity, will feature an impressive 7,500 athletes from over 190 countries who will compete in 24 team and individual sports, from gymnastics to kayaking to bowling.
The Flame of Hope is already here and is set to embark on a tour of the UAE, through all seven emirates, in the lead-up to the Opening Ceremony. As if it wasn’t enough to be able to see the torch in your city, now they’ve introduced an impressively futuristic way to experience the sights and sounds of this year’s Games.
The Abu Dhabi 2019 Local Organising Committee, in partnership with digital creative studio CreatorUp, has launched a virtual reality platform for fans to enjoy the Games even from their own homes. The VR platform boasts an immersive 360-degree view of the action, airing live on the dedicated YouTube channel from the sure-to-be-spectacular Opening Ceremony, throughout the competition, and up until the closing ceremony. Expect full live coverage of the Opening Ceremony, then a daily one-hour show from 6pm-7pm taking a look at each day’s highlights, hosted by influencer Max of Arabia.
This ground-breaking new viewing method will allow the Games and the athletes’ remarkable achievements to be more accessible to all, as well as treat sports fans around the world to a unique Special Olympics experience in Abu Dhabi.
The platform is also releasing a three-part pre-Games series that will cover the UAE’s preparation for the event, the history of the Games and an exclusive ‘Meet The Athletes’ segment.
To experience the action via cutting-edge Samsung VR headsets instead of your sofa, fans can head to the Festival Area at ADNEC, prior to and during the Games, to try them out.
Time to get your head in the game. See you there!
Press play to meet Zahra Lari, the UAE’s first female figure skater.